Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes has shrugged off the constant speculation over incoming midfield signings at Fratton Park.

The Scot told The News: "I guess you could say I'm like Linvoy [Primus] - only to a lesser scale. Each season Linvoy has to make his mark, and he does it. It normally takes me a bit longer to come into the fray.

"I didn't play my first game until November last season but then I played eight of the last nine games. You get used to hearing all the rumours about players when you are at this club. I'll just see who my team-mates are when I go back on July 4.

"There's no point thinking I'm going to be up against this person or that person. I don't get caught up in that. Regardless of who we sign you never look at a team-mate as an adversary. You need competition. It's healthy. I know there will be at least four central midfielders here."